Control mechanism for gas burners



ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 GJ A. GUENTHER CONTROL MECHAISM FOR CrAS BURNERS Filed Jan. 6', 1941 Jan. 11, 1944.

Jan. 11, 1944.

4IG. A. GUENTHER CONTROL MECHANISM FOR GAS BURNERS Filed Jan. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @I Nvvl-:NTkcvJR BY i 76:)

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1944 v coNrnoL MncnANrsM Foa GAS BURNERS George A. Guenther, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Leon H. Ballon, Lockport, N. Y.

Application January 6, 1941, Serial No. 373,245

Claims.

Ihis invention relates to a control mechanism for gas burners of the character shown in Leters Patent of the United States, No. 2,134,083 in which a combustion chamber containing the burner is subjected to the suction effect of an exhausting device and gas is supplied to the burner so long as the burner is in operation but the gas supply to the burner is stopped when the burner is extinguished.

In the control vmechanisms of this type as heretofore constructed the valve device controlling the supply of gas vtothe burner was liable to chatter and work irregularlyespecially during the starting operation of the burner. FurJ thermore the diaphragn'i` of this gas supply valve device was exposed to alarge extent to contact with raw gas so" that the Asaine would deteriorate unduly rapidly and also become coated with dirt drawn in with the air and also with a sticky film resulting from the separation-of moisture in the gas. Moreover, some of the dirt and film would be deposited on the cooperating surfaces of the closures of the control valve of the gas supply and cause the same to stick and operate erratically.

It is the objectv of this invention to provide a control mechanism for gas burners of this char- -acter which avoids the above mentioned unsatis- .factory results by means which are comparatively simple, not liable to get out of order and can be manufactured and maintained in operative condition at low cost.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, on a reduced scale, of a gas heater embodying one form of this in,-

vention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the control mechanl sm, on an enlarged scale, and partly in section, taken on line 2 2, Fig. 1 looking down.

wardly.

a satisfactory example is constructed asfollows:

The numerals I0, Ill represent the two upright sections of 'a heat radiator which are separated Yby an intervening space or gapand which are adapted to receive hot gases Ythrough inlets Il,

II arranged on the opposing inner sides of the upper ends thereof While the cooled gases are discharged through outlets I2, I2 arranged on the opposing inner sides of their lower ends. A partial Alvacuum is maintained in these radiator sections for withdrawing the spent heating gases therefrom by means of a suction fan I3 which is driven by an electric motor I4 and which has its inlet connected with one end of a suction conduit I5 while the opposite end of this conduit is provided with branch pipes I6 connected with the gas outlets of the radiator sections.

The motor is supplied with an electric current from any suitable source by main feed lines or wires 9, 9, and may be controlled by any suitable form of hand switch. On its upper part each of `the radiator sections is provided with a safety vent I1 which is normally closed by a door I8 plvotedat its lower end to the respective radiator section and held in-its closed position over the safety vent I'l by the -suction of the fan but f which will moveby gravity into a position which Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken on line 3 3,

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section, taken on line 4 4, Fig. 2 but showing vthe bypass conduit shifted slightly from the position shown in Fig. 2 for the purpose of diagrammatically more clearly illustrating the invention.

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modiiied form of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, `on a reduced-scale, of the structure shown in Fig. 5, and taken on line 6 6 in the same.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken on 'line 1 1, Fig. 6.

In the following description similar reference opens this vent the instant the sucion of the-fan on the radiator is arrested.

'I'he numeral I9 represents a combustion chamber which'y is arranged in the space between the sections of the radiator and has the Opposite sides` of its .upper end. connected by outlets 20, 20 where the hot gases in the combustion chamber are conducted to the inlets Il of the radiator section. Within the lower part of the combustion chamber is arranged a gas .burner 2I which burns a combustible fluid mixture of gas and air delivered thereto by a delivery pipe 22 extending vvertically through the bottom of the combustion chamber and communicates with the lower end of the gas burner 2 I The mechanism for controlling the supply of combustible fluid to the burner in accordance with this invention is constructed as follows:

The numera1 23 represents the body of an air regulating valve which communicates with an air y supply pipe 44 forming a, downward extension of the combustible mixture delivery pipe 22 and through which air from the exterior of the'combustion chamber is supplied to the lower end of with the as shown by dotted lines in'the same ilgure. low' the safety valve casing 26 are arranged the e section 36 and engaging. its upper end with the regulating valve includes a closure member 24 whereby the amount of 'air passing through this valve may be regulated. Raw gas is supplied to the mixture conduit 22 bya gas supply conduit having its outlet portion 25 opening into. the

mixture conduit 22 betweenthe air supply valve .i

. 23 and the gas burner and arranged at an angle thereto so that.the adjacent parts of the mixture conduit 22 and the outlet portion 25 of the gas supply conduit converge toward thegas burner', as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 5. Safety means are provided which cause the gas supply conduitto be opened when the fan exerts a suction effect on the burner but which causes the gas supply conduit to be closed when the suction of the fan on the burner is arrested. These safety means Ainclude a safety ,valve casing 26 having an inlet 21, which communicates with a nipple 28 forming an intermediate part of the sas supply conduit, an outlet 29 communicating Adischarge end of4 the gas supply conduit, a port or seatA 30 arranged between the inlet 21 and the outlet'29, Vand a closure 3l movable downwardly to close thelport 30, as shown by full lines in Fig. 4, and upwardly to open the same, `Be

means for actuating the sai'ety valve closure 3l in response to the suction eiect of the ian and the cessation of the. suction eil'ect of the same. These suction responsive means include a suction chamber 32 formed in a housing 33 which may be connected with the underside of the safe'- ty valve casing 26 by a vertical neck 34 and containing a central operating passage having an upper wide part which communicates with the outlet 29.01- the valve housing, a lower narrow part 35 which communicates with the suction chamber 32, an upwardly facing sealing port or seat 31-arranged between the lower end of the passage section 35 and -the upper end of the lower passage section. 38 and a downwardly iacend o1' the lower passage section It, as shown in Fis. 4.

The underside of the suction chamber 32 is upper side of which at times is exposed to the suction effect of the fan I3 for moving this diaphragm upwardly. as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, while the underside of the same is exposed ing valve stem 4| arranged in the lower I :s

lower end of the upper valve stem 4I while its lower end engages with the central part ofthe l upper side of. the diaphragm. At its upper end the lower valvestem 4I isl provided with a ballshaped sealing closure 42 which is adapted to eny 2,338,844 the combustible mixture conduit 22. The air gas supply conduit, this being accomplished, for example as shown in Fig. 4,by an annular air chamber er vent passage formed in the neck 34 and communicating by longitudinal air or vent passages 4G in said neck with the. suction chamber 3 2, and an air pipe or conduit 41 connected I at one end with said annular chamber 45 and at.-

its opposite end with said air pipe 44. The clearance between the parts 35, 36 of the operating passage and the operating valve stems 40, 4I is such that the same do not engage with each other thereby ensuring free movement of the means for transmitting motion from the diaphragm to' the safety valve closure 3| and causing this mech- -anism to operate promptly and with certainty.

When the motor i4 and fan I3 are not in operation no suction is produced on the combustion chamber i9 and the burner or burners therein and no gas will be supplied to the latter due to the closure 3| ofthe safety valve being dropped into 'its closed positionatwhich time the diaphragm is also in its lowered position owing to the absence oi 'any upward suction thereon and direct conimunicationbetween the outlet 2 9 of thel safety', 'valve and the suction chamber 32 above the. diaphragm being cut of! by the descent of the lower valve stem .4i whose upper ball closure 42 engages the seat 31 between the upper and lower passage parts 35, 35, as shown by full lines. in 'Fig'. 4.

While the parts are in this position it is impossi- 1 ble for any gas to pass through the supply conduit to the burner and flood the heater and create lng sealing port or seat 38 arranged at the lower a dangerous condition; it is also. impossible for any gas passingl from the outlet side ot the safety valve casing or body into the suction chamber 32 and deteriorating the diaphragm or interfering with its operation; and dirt is also prevented from lodging on the upper valve seat 31`which other'- wise might produce faulty engagement oi' the upper closure 42 therewith and possible downward leakage of gas past the same to thediaphragm.

If for any reason a back pressure of the combustible mixture should occur in thburner none oi' this mixture can reach the suction chamber 32 and injuriously atl'ect the diaphragm because Y thischamber, .thevent es 45, 48, tube 41 Vformed by a movable wall or diaphragm 39, the

and the tubular extension 44 below the outlet end 25 oi' the supply conduit only contain unmixed air which prevents gas fromreaching the diaphragm and deteriorating the same and impairing or de stroying 'the operation lof the apparatus.

When the suction in the combustion chamber ceases the vent doors II of the radiator also open automatically. by gravity thus releasing any gases.

which may be present bustion chamber. Y e When thel suction 'on the burner, on the combustion chamber enclosing the same and on the in the radiator and com-- radiator connected therewith is resumed bywork ing of the suction ian, the vent doors upon being closed manually will be held shut, an upward suction will be produced in the combustible mixture delivery pipe 22,` and thediaphragm will be' lifted gage withr the upper `seat 31 while the lower'end e of the lower valve stem isprnvided with a ballshaped'seali'ng closure 43 which is adapted to engage the lower. seat'l. Communication is maintained between Ythe suction chamber'32 4and the air supply Vlmduii; 44 at apoint between the air regulating valve 23 and the outlet part 25 of the into the position shown by dotted 'lines in Fig. 4 due toithe transmission of suction from the mixture delivery pipe 22 to the suction ch through-the pipe extension 44, pipe 41 and pae-A Sases 45 andhll. 'I'he instant this occurs the lower valve stem 4I will be lifted and engage its lower ball closure. 43 .with thelower valve seat 3l so as to cut on direct communication between the interiore! vthe safety valve casing andthe suction chamber l2 and preventing gas from entering the suction chamber and deteriorating the diaphragm or impairing its operation by summing up parts thereof due to deposit thereon ofsticky residuum of the gas. As the diaphragm is lifted with the lower valve stem 4| the upper ball closure is also lifted from its seat 31 and an upward exhausting effect is producedin the lowerand upper stem passages 36,35 which prevents the accumulation of any gas therein and the safety valve closure 3| is lifted from its seat 30 by'en.- gagement of the upper end of the lower valve stem 4| with the lower end of the upper valve stem 40, thereby permitting now of gas throughv fore not likely to be injuriously affected nor its operation impaired, thereby insuringl satisfactory operation of the heater without serious interruption in its performance.

Any' suitable means may be provided for automatically regulating the pressureof the gas' sup'- plied to the burner, this being accomplished by the valve mechanism which is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and which comprises a ball-shaped closure or valve 48 'movable toward and from a seat. 49 formed in the casing 50 of a regulating/valve mechanism which communicates by a conduit 8 8 with the inlet part 10 of the gas supply conduit, and a stem connecting the ball closure 48 with a regulating diaphragm 52 which is exposed on the discharge side of this regulating valve to the pressure of the gas passing through the supply pipe or conduit so that when the gas pressure exceeds the normal then the regulating valve will be closed more and when the gas pressure drops below normal the regulating valve will be opened more.

Means may also be employed for automatically shutting off .the passage of gas through the supply conduit when the apartment being heated has reached the normal temperature desired and automatically resuming the supply of gas to the burner when the temperature of the apartment being heated drops below normal. The means for this purpose shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprise an electrically operated thermostatic control valve having a valve casing 53 the inlet 54 of which communicates with the outlet of the casing 50 of the automatic regulating valve and the outlet 55 of which normally communicates with the inlet 21 of the safety valve casing, a control valve closure 58 movable toward and from the seat 51 of the control valve between its inlet 54 and its outlet 55, a solenoid magnet having a core 58 connected with the valve closure 56 and a coll 58 surrounding said core, a thermostatic switch 60 arranged in the room the temperature of which controls the operation of the heater, and electric connections between saidv thermostatic switch, solenoid coil and electric current supply` lines 8, 9 including a transformer 6| and a rectifier 62 similar to that shown in the patent hereinbefore mentioned.

normalthe switch is closed and completes the electric circuit .of the solenoid magnet so as to hold open the valve closure 56 and permit gas to flow to the main burner 2| for maintaining a flame at the same, but when the temperature in this room rises above normal the thermostatic switch 60 of the circuit of the solenoid magnet causes the valvefclosure 56 to close and shut oil the supply of gas to the main burner until the temperature of the room has again been reduced to normal. While the main burner 2| is extingulshed a pilot light is provided for relighting the main burner when the supply of gas to the latter is resumed, this being accomplished for example by a pilot burner 63 arranged adjacent to the main burner and communicating by a pipe 64- with the inlet part 61 of the main gas supply conduit in rear'of the automatic pressure regulating valve 48, 49, 50, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. y

Manual regulation of the amount of gas flowing to the main. burner may be effected by a hand operated valve having a casing or body 65 tubularly connected with the gas supply conduit between the thermostatically controlled valve 53 and the safety valve 26 and a manually adjustable valve closure 66 of needle form for varying the size of the passage through this hand regu- I ating valve, as shown lin Fig. 2.

Instead of thermostatically controlling the flowA of gas to the main burner and operating the safety valve in the manner shown in Figs. 1-4, this mechanism, -as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '1,'v may be modified as follows:

The numeral 1| represents a thermostatically controlled suction or auxiliary vent chamber which communicates with the safety valve suction chamber 32 of the safety valve mechanism preferably by a passage 1|a extending through the bottom of the thermostatic vent chamber 1I and the top of the safety valve suction chamber 32, as shown in Fig. 5. In its top this thermostatic chamber is provided with an atmospheric port 12 whereby its interior is placed in communication with the outer atmosphere and a suction port 13 which communicates with the air extension 44 of the combustible mixture discharge conduit 22 below the gas inlet 25 ofthe latter, this.

connection being preferably effected by a pipe 14, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Within the thermostat suction chamber 1| is arranged a valve lever 15 pivoted between its oppositely turning two arms on one of the walls of this chamber and provided on one of said arms with a valve closure 11 which controls the air port 13 while the other arm is adapted to shift a valve 16 which controls the vent port 12.l Rocking of the valve lever 15 is produced by an operating lever 18 arranged within the suction chamber 1| and pivoted thereto at'one end while its opposite end is connected with the valve. lever, a spring 19 interposed between the lever 18 and the wall oi the suction chamber 1| and operating toturn this lever downwardly, a solenoid core connected with the operating lever 18 and adapted to raise the latter and a solenoid coil 8| enclosing the core 80 and arranged in an electric circuit 5which con-v tains a thermostatic switch 82, similar to' the In the modifled construction of thisinvention,

shown in Fig. 7, the neck 83 containing the means for transmitting motion from the diaphragm 39|.

' shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is deenergiz'ed due to opening of the thermostatic` switch 82 when the room temperature. rises abovenormal the diaphragm 38| drops and the safety valve V8H closes so that the gas supply to the main burner is shut oil?. When this occurs the solenoid core 80 has dropped and permitted the spring 'I9 to turn the levers 18 and 15 inthe direction for opening the atmospheric vent valve 18 and close the suction valve 'I8 so that the "exhausting effect produced on the main burner 2| by the suction fan I8 willl not operate to lift the diaphragmfl nor open the safety valve 3| I; When, however, the room tem'- oerature again drops to or below normal, the

-thermostatic switch82 again closes the circuit of the solenoid coil 8| whereby the core 80is lifted, the vent valve 'Il is closed to cut oit' entrance of external air into theisuction chamber 'Il and the suction. valve 'Il is opened to permit upward suction from the mixture pipe 22 to the main burner and exert a suction effect. through the pipe 'I4 on the diaphragm 88| so that the latter lifts the safety valve 3| I'from its seat and permits gas to flow through the main supply conduit to the main burner. t

The vent valve closure 'i6 is preferably so orfrom reaching the diaphragm and corroding. gumming or otherwise injuriously affecting .the

same, thereby prolonging the life of this diaphragm and practically-eliminating servicing of this burner control `mechanism for maintaining the same in satisfactory operative condition.

Moreover the provision ofthe double valves q42 and '48 which close the sections 35', 36' of the operating passage when the diaphragm is either lowered or raised prevents the flow of any airor gas through this passage rat all times and keeps this passage free from dirt and sticky deposits and therefore insures free action of the parts of the safety valve device.

l2n claim as my invention: A

l. A safety valve device for gas burning heaters comprising a 'valve' body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a safety port between said inlet and outlet, a suction chamber constantly disconnected from lthe inlet of said body but communicating with the outlet' of said body close to said port by a near vent passage and remote from said port by a far vent passage and said suction chamber having a movable wall or diaphragm the inner side of which constantly faces said' near and far.l passages and. the outer side of which is constantlyexposed toatmospheric pressure, a movganized .that itsrstem projects downwardlyinto t the path of the upper arm of the valve lever '|5` so that the latter upon engaging this stem will open this closure, as shown in Fig. 5, but

permit this closure to turn into a closed' position when the respective arm of the valve lever 'l5 is disengaged from said stem. V'I'he throw of the solenoid core 80 so controlled that its upward vmovement upon energizing the. coil 8| will be limited by a stop 83 after the valve 16 is` closed, but still leaving the valve lever 'l5 free, thereby enabling the core 80 to be held tightly at the end of its stroke by the pulling eect of the energized coil 8| and thus enable the vent valvefl to close positively without liability of the solenoid, magnet 8U, 8| chattering as would be the ease if thel vvent valve'IG closed first-and the coil 8| would continue its attraction on the core to the stroke ofthe latter.

Accordingly the mechanism for operating/the valves and '|6'are so organized that the sole'- noidcore 80 engages the stop 83 before its movement during energizing of the coil 8| is arrested complete by any other parts and particularly before the Ilever 15 strikes any stationary part after closing a part of this conduit between the air inlet M and the valve 16 and opening the valve l1.

. It will be obvious from the foregoing explanation that the elctromagnetically operated control means shown in Figs. 3 and 5 can be used interchangeably and that, in effect, the organization shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is the equivalent of taking the chamber 1| from Fig. 5 and placing the same in the conduit 41 of Fig. 4 so as to form the suction chamber 32.

- In both forms of this inventionthe valve means associated with the stems, whereby ymotion is transmitted froml the diaphragm to the safetyL valve, are so organized that raw gas is prevented aoble safety valve which' controls said safety port, sind me 'ns arranged in said nearvent passage for transmi ting motion from said Wall -ordiaphragm to saidl safety valve' and provided with a vent valve for controllingsaid near vent passage.

' 2. A; safety valve device for gas burning heaters comprising a valve body having a gas inlet, a

gas outlet and a safety port between said inlet and outlet, a suction chamber constantly discon- A nected from the inlet of said body but communieating with the outlet of said body close to said f' port by a near vent passage and remote from said port by a far vent passage and said suction charn- =ber having a movable wall or diaphragm the inner side of which constantly faces said near and, far passages and the outer side of which is constantly exposed to atmospheric pressure. a movable safety valve which controls said safety port,

said near vent passage having outer and inner;

vent valve seats, a valve connection which Vis arranged in said near vent passage and whereby motion is transmitted from said wall or diaphragm. to said safety valve, and inner and outer' valves movable with said connection and adapted, Ato alternately engage the respective inner and outer vent valve seats for Zclosingisaid near vent position of said wall or dlapassage in either phrasm.

3. A safety valve device for gas burning heaters comprising a valve body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a safety port between said inlet and outlet, a suction chamber constantly 'disconnected fromthe inlet of said body but communicating with the outlet of said body close to said port by a near vent passage and remote from said port by a far vent passage and said suction chamber having a movable wall or diaphragm the^` inner side of which constantly faces said near and far passages andthe outer iside of whichis constantly exposed to atmospheric pressure, a movable safety valve which controls said safety port, means arranged in said near vent passage for transmitting motion from said wall or diaphragm to said safety valve, said far vent passage having a far valve seat, a far ventv valvev cooperating with said far valve seat for controlling said-far vent passage, and electromagnetic means for actuating saidfar vent valve.

' arm, and an electric circuit containing a thermostatic switch which is operatively connected 4. A safety valve device for gas burning heaters comprising a valve body having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a safety port between said inlet and outlet, a lsuction chamber constantly disconnected from the inlet of said body but communicating hwith the outlet .of said body close to said port by a' near `vent passage and remote from said port by a far vent passage and said suction chamber having a movable wall or diaphragm the inner side of which constantly faces said near and far passages and the outer side of which is constantly exposed t atmospheric pressureffal movable safety valve Iwhich controls said safety port, means arranged in said near vent passage for transmitting motion from said wall or diaphragm to said safety valve and means for controlling said far vent passage including a vent chamber forming part of said far vent passage and having an intermediate vent port and a nal vent port, an intermediate rock lever having an intermediate vent valve for controlling said in- -terlnediate ve'nt port, a tilting final vent valve for controlling said final vent port having a stem which is engaged by said intermediate lever to be actuated thereby, a rock arm engaging said rock lever, an electromagnetic shifting device having a movable member connected with said-rock with said electromagnetic shifting device and wherebyythe latter is controlled in response to said thermostatic switch.

5. A safety valve device for gas burning heaters, comprising a valve body having a ga's inlet, a

gas'outlet and a safety port between said inlet and outlet, a suction chamber constantly disconnected from the inlet of said body but communieating with the outlet thereof by a constantly Y open passage and also adapted to communicate intermittently with said outlet by an openableand closeable passage, and said suction chamber having a movable wall or diaphragm the inner side of which is exposed to said constantly open passage and also to slid openable and closable passage and the outer side of which is constantly exposed to atmospheric pressure, a movable safety `va1ve which controls said safety port, and means which are arranged in said openable and closable passage and are adapted to transmit motion from said wall or diaphragm to said safety valve, and

which are provided with .a valve device for controlling said openable and closable passage.

GEORGE A. GUEN'I'HER.- 

